Wolverhampton vs. Man Utd

Barclays Premier League
Venue: Molineux Date: Saturday, 6 March 2010 Kick-off: 1730 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, full match commentary on 5 live sports extra, local radio, Final Score, live on ESPN & highlights on Match of the Day

• TEAM NEWS

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy is poised to name the same line-up that has started the last three games for Saturday's visit of Manchester United.

Forward Andy Keogh, who made his comeback from an ankle injury last weekend, will again be a substitute.

Manchester United striker Michael Owen is out for the season with a hamstring injury, while Wayne Rooney's minor knee problem will be assessed.

Nani is available after suspension, and Rio Ferdinand is fit to start.

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Wolves

Injured: Edwards (ankle), Kightly (ankle/knee)

Manchester United

Doubtful: Rafael (calf), Rooney (knee)

Injured: Anderson, J Evans & Hargreaves (all knee), Giggs (broken arm), O'Shea (thigh), Owen (hamstring)

• MATCH PREVIEW

Though confronted by Old Gold at Molineux, Manchester United's focus is on new silverware.

United's successful defence of the League Cup trophy at Wembley last weekend was an unprecedented achievement, as would be a fourth successive league title. A win or draw on Saturday will put United top of the table.

The Premier League decided that Wolves tarnished their famous shirts in the reverse fixture in December, when manager Mick McCarthy made 10 changes from the team that beat Tottenham three days earlier. United won 3-0 and Wolves were given a £25,000 fine for breaching the rules by fielding a weakened team.

McCarthy had argued that his first XI would have fared little better, and they certainly haven't done anything to disprove that theory with a return of five points from a possible 27. Nonetheless, with relegation a very real threat, Wolves need to be at full strength and full tilt on Saturday.

United welcome back the new England captain, Rio Ferdinand, but the season is over for one of his predecessors, Michael Owen, who pulled a hamstring during the League Cup final. However, United's strength is that even when weakened they rarely show signs of weakness.

• MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Wolves have only beaten Manchester United once in their last 10 league and cup meetings, a 1-0 Premier League victory at Molineux in January 2004. Wolves have only scored two goals in those 10 games.

• The last meeting between these clubs at Molineux ended in a 3-0 FA Cup win for United four years ago.

Wolves

• They have lost their last two matches without scoring. Their only league victory in the last nine attempts was 1-0 at home against Tottenham Hotspur on 10 February.

• Their only victory in 14 Premier League matches against Big Four opposition was at home to Manchester United in January 2004. Kenny Miller scored the only goal of the game.

• Wolves are the division's lowest scorers with 21 goals, and have failed to score in 12 of their 27 league matches this season.

Manchester United

• United have only won two of their last six away matches in the league. Their two defeats in that time were at Fulham and Everton.

• They have failed to win in both previous Premier League visits to promoted clubs this season, losing 1-0 at Burnley in August and drawing 1-1 at Birmingham City in January.

• They are the joint leading scorers in the Premier League, alongside Arsenal, with 66 goals in 28 matches.

• Wayne Rooney has scored 12 goals in his last nine Manchester United appearances in all competitions. Seven of his last eight goals have been headers, including the last six.

• Paul Scholes still needs one goal to take his tally to 100 in the Premier League.

• Antonio Valencia is poised to make his 100th Premier League start.

• LEADING GOALSCORERS

Wolves

Doyle: 6 goals (6 league); Craddock: 4 goals (4 league)

Manchester United

Rooney: 28 goals (23 league); Berbatov: 9 goals (9 league)

• MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Chris Foy

Assistant referees: Ron Ganfield & Bob Pollock

Fourth official: Anthony Taylor

• LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS

Wolves (L0-1 v Bolton, a): Hahnemann; Zubar, Craddock, Berra, Ward, Henry, Guedioura (Ebanks-Blake 68), Foley (Keogh 73),
D Jones, Jarvis, Doyle. Subs not used: Hennessey, Elokobi, Vokes, Milijas, Mancienne.

Manchester United (W3-0 v West Ham, h): Foster; Neville, Brown, Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Gibson, Scholes, Anderson (Park 19), Rooney (Owen 78), Berbatov (Diouf 78) Subs not used: Kuszczak, Fletcher, Evans, Rafael.

• MOST RECENT MEETING

Man Utd 3-0 Wolves (15 December 2009)

Manchester United scorers: Rooney (pen) 30, Vidic 43, Valencia 66

From BBC